Title: Tribulation
Characters: Elladan and Elrohir, Glorfindel, Elrond, Arwen
Prompt: 070. Storm
Rating: K+
Summary: A grievous transgression sunders the Peredhil and forces some hard choices.
The Last Homely House, T.A. 2510
The times Glorfindel rued going back to Middle-earth were few and far between. This was one of those times.
He watched Elladan shove hardy clothing into a pack. The older twin's weapons were laid out as well on their bed—sword and knives honed to lethal sharpness and a sturdy newly-strung bow and a quiver of freshly fletched arrows beside them.
Glorfindel looked away to stare out the window. But he saw neither the brilliant blue of the sky above nor the colorful profusion of blossoms in the verdant garden below.
Images from a warrior's past filled his vision. Of a doomed battle and a great defeat. And a fair city ringed by mountains that would fail at the last to protect it from its foes. Of bleak stone and deadly flame as he fought a spawn of the Enemy, until death in an abyss gained him relief from the hideous pain of his body's burning. And then the first glimpse of the first day of life restored in the land of his birth.
His return to Middle-earth had been no less blessed and cursed with myriad sights both fearsome and wondrous. There was Lindon by the sea, enduring yet so very changed. And the son of the child he had died to preserve, now an Elvenlord in his own right. Another battle, both tragic and hopeful, amidst choking ash and the stench of sulfur. And two beauteous infants born during peace, but fated to take part in war.
His eyes softened when he recalled the night that had borne witness to the culmination of his dearest wish and Elladan lay beneath him, receiving him in love and unspoken commitment to a life together. They hardened once more as he remembered Men corrupted into a wraith's existence and his ride against their king, the brilliance of his renewed elven fire putting the fear of Eru and the Valar into what passed for that abomination's heart. And lastly…
He shook his head. He did not care for the memory of his liege lady and law-mother broken in body and spirit after days spent at the mercy of creatures that knew not the meaning of the word. Nor did he wish to dwell on the nightmarish search for Celebrían's bestial tormentors and the prolonged and gruesome end the twins had subjected them to. Now the family was newly returned from Círdan's seaward realm, deeply grieving the departure of Imladris's beloved mistress for the Undying Lands.
Glorfindel's mouth tightened. Elrond had been in too much a sorrowful daze to gainsay his sons, while Arwen's tears and pleas had not moved her vengeful brothers. And neither he nor Erestor had been able to dissuade Elladan and Elrohir from their course. Nay, not even he had held sway over his own mate.
"It is Elrohir who desires this quest," he flatly said, turning around to glare at Elladan.
Elladan stopped what he was doing and looked up, his eyes angry and defiant. "I, too, desire it," he snapped.
"Yet you did not broach it. In all these many months, not once have you indicated a wish to ride out and hunt and slay." Glorfindel held up a hand to forestall Elladan's reply. "You go because you will not let him do this alone even if it means leaving all else behind. Even me."
The light of quick ire faded from Elladan's eyes. He drew in a shaky breath and said, "Elrohir has naught to bind him to life should he have to make a choice to fight or flee. I can make that choice for him. I have a reason to return here alive and whole."
Glorfindel frowned. "He has a reason. Or does Legolas no longer hold his heart?"
"He holds it. He will unto death and beyond. But they are not yet bound. After all this time, Elrohir still cannot call him his own save to the few who know the truth. And he cannot tell if he ever will." Elladan's shoulders slumped. "I fear for him. There is a bitterness in him though he declines to admit it to me. And he is lonely, Glorfindel. So lonely it chills my very soul when I chance to sense it. Such feelings might lead him into folly."
"And perchance to ruin."
With a sigh, Glorfindel went to Elladan and pulled him into his arms. Elladan wrapped his arms tightly around his spouse.
"I am sorry I have been so short with you," Elladan whispered. "I never wished to hurt you."
"You were overwrought," Glorfindel murmured. "We all are. This is not a thing that can be borne without anger nor will grief pass quickly. I only ask that you do not keep such secrets from me. Had I known the extent of Elrohir's despair, I might have found some other way to divert him from this path. Too late for that now. Your brother will not be swayed once his mind is made up."
Elladan looked at him, a sad smile on his lips. "He would not be Elrohir otherwise," he agreed. "I regret I did not confide in you. I will not fail to do so from hereon. But I am also glad that you understand why I must go with him."
Glorfindel nodded, his eyes somber. He glanced at Elladan's belongings on the bed. "Well then, I had best start packing, too." He tightened his hold on Elladan when the older twin stiffened in his arms. "If I cannot convince you to stay, neither can you begrudge me the wish to accompany you."
"But she is not your mother," Elladan protested.
"Yet she is my liege lady and kin-by-marriage besides." Glorfindel placed a silencing finger against Elladan's lips. "Not another word, beloved. I am coming with you."
He replaced his finger with his mouth, prompting Elladan to forget whatever it was he'd been about to say.
oOoOoOo
They left at dawn the following day.
Elrond did not appear too surprised when Glorfindel stated his intention to ride with Elladan and Elrohir. And if Arwen was, she managed not to show it. But neither could hide the relief they must have felt that Rivendell's indomitable captain would accompany the twins.
"Take care of them for me, Glorfindel," Elrond softly said. "I cannot bear to lose another loved one."
"I will keep them safe," Glorfindel promised. "I will bring them home." He glanced at Arwen. The Elf-maiden was doing her best not to weep that her brothers' last sight of her should not be a tear-ravaged face. "I will always bring them home. This I swear."
"I know you will," Arwen replied, her voice steady though her eyes gleamed with unshed tears. She lifted them now to the brethren who waited astride their mounts. "The Valar keep you, my brothers. May the Lady always light your way."
She retreated into the circle of her father's arms as Glorfindel vaulted onto his steed.
Glorfindel looked at his pensive mate, then noted the steely gleam in the younger twin's eyes. He spared a last glance for Elrond and Arwen, their faces strained with worry and grief. He clenched his hand decisively around the reins.
He would fulfill his oath and bring Elrond's sons home. To Imladris and farther on, Eru willing.
To be continued...